Mariner of the Seas

Ice skating, surfing and kids’ clubs on Mariner of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas packs her sea days with things to do, and the ice rink is the surprise. Skating is complimentary for every passenger, so a first-timer can wobble round beside a confident skater at no extra cost. The FlowRider surf simulator keeps a continuous wave rolling across a 40-foot ride, with stadium seating for friends who would rather watch.

Her youth program starts at age 3 and is included in the fare. Adventure Ocean takes children aged 3 to 11, with Aquanauts for 3 to 5 year olds. Explorers gives 6 to 8 year olds science experiments like Space Mud, alongside crafts and ice cream parties, which leaves parents free to explore the ship.

Older kids and nostalgic parents gravitate to the Arcade, where ’80s and ’90s classics sit beside current titles. Entry is free and games are paid. Outdoor sport and games on deck are part of the fare too. If children are setting the dates, browse family cruises with Royal Caribbean.

Caribbean over the Australian summer, the Med through winter

From November to February, Mariner of the Seas runs round trips from New Orleans into the Western Caribbean, of 6, 7, 8 or 9 nights. Stops change between departures, but Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico are typical, and some sailings add George Town in the Cayman Islands. See her among Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean sailings.

From May to October, which spans the Australian winter, she moves to Europe. In the Western Mediterranean she sails 7-night one-ways from Barcelona to Lisbon or Ravenna and from Lisbon back to Barcelona, plus some Barcelona round trips. Ports vary; Málaga, Casablanca and Rome’s port of Civitavecchia are among them. Further east, she sails 7 nights from Ravenna to Athens (Piraeus), with calls such as Dubrovnik, Split and Santorini. She also returns from Athens to Barcelona, sometimes by way of Mykonos and Valletta.

Wherever she sails from, the trip begins with a flight, and we book it with the hotel either side and the transfers as one holiday, including the flight home from wherever a one-way ends. Her fellow Voyager Class ships include Explorer of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas.

Latin nights and shows on ice

Evenings on Mariner of the Seas lean towards live music and big productions. Boleros is her Latin club, where a four-piece band plays salsa, cumbia, merengue and samba while the bar mixes mojitos and caipirinhas. Schooner Bar is the gentler option, a nautical room of portholes and a piano. In both, drinks are charged unless you have a beverage package.

The ice rink comes back into its own at night. Ice-Under the Big Top brings skaters, acrobats and clowns together under a circus tent, and it is included in the fare. For dinner with a show of its own, her steakhouse and her teppanyaki and sushi restaurant both carry an extra charge.

Mariner of the Seas cabins and deck plans

Her suites sit within Royal Suite Class, the tier that gives suite guests perks such as priority service and a private lounge. That Suite Lounge, open to Sky- and Star-Class suite guests, is a quieter retreat with ocean views and a daily cocktail hour. With kids’ clubs, a sports bar and a Latin band aboard, her cabins and deck plans help you choose a cabin near the action or well away from it.

Cruise1st sells Royal Caribbean cruise deals to Australian travellers. Our Best Price Guarantee applies. Before you book, read what guests said in our Mariner of the Seas reviews, then search Mediterranean cruises in 2027 to see her European season beside the other ships sailing it.